Latest news with #NorthlandCorporateGroup
RNZ News
23-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Northland business leaders call for more government investment in infrastructure
Northland Corporate Group co-chairs Andrew McLeod and Rosie Mercer. Photo: RNZ / Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira Northland business leaders say the region's economy could grow six-fold to $60 billion by 2050, if it had better infrastructure. The Northland Corporate Group - which includes some of the region's biggest businesses like Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited, Northpower and McKay Limited - hosted an event on Wednesday night at Parliament, pitching the region's economic benefits to MPs. At the event, economic analysis , prepared by New Zealand Institute of Economics (NZIER) and commissioned by the group, was released and showed that while the region contributed $11.2 billion to national GDP in 2024 - 30 percent below the national average - it could be higher if it had proper investment in its infrastructure . Speaking at the event, group co-chair Rosie Mercer said the region was full of resource and talent, and was ready to unleash its full power. If Northland's GDP was on par with the national average, it would be a $16 billion economy, Mercer said. "We think that gap can and should be closed, but we're not going to stop there. We're not just going to close that gap. We're ambitious and we are saying that Northland can be a $60 billion economy." The analysis found the region needed an additional 1.1 percent growth every year above the current trend to achieve that. The potential for energy supply growth, agriculture, construction and manufacturing, tourism, trade and supply chain logistics and its closeness to Auckland were all key enablers for economic success. However, the region needed more resilient transport infrastructure, like roads and rail, more certainty on what infrastruture was down the pipeline and recognition the region had under-utilised assets - particularly in the energy sector. Co-chair Andrew McLeod invited politcal leaders to "look north" to see the strength of the region's industries and said building a region was a "long-term game". "Our communities have stood in the north for hundreds of years, in our own businesses, for over 19. We're looking for a commitment, of similar duration, across parties, across governments and across political cycles. "Our ask is, give ongoing commitment to provide a connection between us and Auckland and provide real long-term commitment to infrastructure," McLeod said. Speaking to media, Northland MP Grant McCallum said the "ultimate challenge" would be getting cross-party support for long-term investment in the region. "The power of this pitch today is being business and community led, it hasn't been led by the politicians, because you can immediately create one side or the other," he said. "The key pieces of infrastructure that the government can do to help enable all of this is, build a decent four lane road all the way to Whangārei, and put the rail connection out to the port. That will enable all that to happen." McCallum said Northland had been underperforming for generations and he hoped people could see the oppurtunity. "It's got all its social challenges, and we're not going to get wealthy by increasing the size of the welfare cheque. "We've got great opportunities, great soils, we've got great tourist attractions and great people in the north, and they just need the opportunities to grow and for businesses to grow." He said businesses needed to be confident investment in the region by government would be long-term. "The big advantage we have as a region is we're close to Auckland, the biggest population base in the country. "We're all sick of the stories about the Brynderwyns closing, or the Mangamuka closing . They just send the wrong message and if we ... turn that around, we can actually achieve this," McCallum said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland business heavyweights pushing for $60b-a-year economy
Northland Corporate Group co-chairman and Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod said the event was likely the first of its kind for any region and was a chance for Northlanders to stand in solidarity. 'It's a very positive chance for Northland to remind people what we do and what we're gunning for in the next 25 years,' he said. 'Everyone is standing up, to stand united in Parliament: that's a really cool thing.' The report was not about asking for a Government handout but to show what the north is capable of, encouraging confidence and private investment, McLeod said. However, there is also a need for central Government to play its part in planning for infrastructure, including ensuring there is a reliable road link from Northland to Auckland, he said. Northland Corporate Group co-chairman and Northpower chief executive Andrew McLeod says the regional solidarity shown in Wellington for the report's launch is unique for any region. Photo / NZME 'A reasonable state of infrastructure between Whangārei and Auckland is all that we're asking – it happens everywhere else in New Zealand.' Last year, Northland Corporate Group commissioned NZIER to investigate the benefits of a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Northland and it found it would boost GDP by $1.2b a year. A few months later, the coalition Government confirmed a four-lane highway to Whangārei, including over the Brynderwyn Hills. Companies have been asked to bid for a public-private partnership for the first stage. McLeod said the expressway report showed the importance of having analysis done and encouraged Northland Corporate Group to commission the new report. The report found Northland's GDP per capita is currently 30% below the national average but the region holds natural resource and geographical advantages. McLeod said all of the potential projects in the report have already been talked about, such as an energy precinct at Marsden Point, the Northport expansion and irrigation to encourage more horticulture. Northland Corporate Group includes Channel Infrastructure NZ, Culham Engineering, Marsden Maritime Holdings, McKay, Northpower and Top Energy, who employ a combined total of more than 3500 people. 'People don't realise Northland's economic muscle' McLeod said the report outlines the true impact of Northland's economy on Auckland and the rest of New Zealand, which may be a surprise to some. 'Typically, people think of us as a nice place to come on holiday but they don't realise our economic muscle.' Some facts about Northland highlighted in the report are: Channel Infrastructure supplies 40% of New Zealand's land transport fuel and 80% of the country's jet fuel, including the entire supply for Auckland International Airport. Culham Engineering is one of New Zealand's largest integrated engineering firms, providing fabricated steel for many large-span bridges and high-rise buildings. Golden Bay Cement in Whangārei is New Zealand's only domestic cement producer, manufacturing 60% of national demand for cement. Northland is a cornerstone of New Zealand's food system, including producing more than 90% of the country's kūmara and supporting high-value crops such as avocados. A large pipeline of renewable electricity generation projects in Northland scheduled for the next two years will be sufficient to make the region a net electricity exporter. Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland a region ready for growth
These two major project announcements are part of the bigger picture for increasing Northland's growth and prosperity, all included within the Regional Deal proposed to central Government. Minister Mark Mitchell attended the Northland Civil Defence Forum last week at Semenoff Stadium, and commented on how well Northland councils and communities were working together, especially when disasters happen. This was shown through Cyclone Gabrielle, the Mangawhai tornado, the fires that attacked Waipoua Forest, and then with ex-Cyclone Tam. Northland as a community is great at getting in and working with those who can help, and those who need help. For me, one of the best things about living in Northland is how we just get on with things and work together to make things happen. When we see someone with a need, we go and deal with it. There's a lot of compassion and action up here – that no.8 wire mentality is still alive and kicking! It is now great to have central Government recognise that too. Our three mayors (Kaipara, Far North and Whangārei), and chair of Northland Regional Council started our term by spelling out what we needed for our region to grow, both economically and physically. It all started with agreeing on what our top 5 priorities were: Connecting Northland Northland as an economic hub Housing and associated infrastructure Infrastructure resilience with changing environment Local government as a 'trusted partner' with central Government We next needed to put those priorities to our business and hapū communities and encourage them to take ownership of these aspirations. The Northland Corporate Group and Chamber of Commerce have done just that. Bringing the councils together under one economic roof for Northland, via the Joint Regional Economic Development Group (JREDG) and Northland Inc., cemented the powerhouse that I knew Northland could be. A similar example of a powerhouse that we already have is within our Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group (CDEM), which looks after Northland during emergencies. The next big economic projects that can make huge differences to Northland's economy, which require central Government involvement, is developing a knowledge precinct in Whangārei, expanding Northport, building the drydock at Marsden Point, and setting up some regional economic zones. By attracting future investment, creating jobs, fostering innovation, strengthening infrastructure, and working together, we can build a brighter future for our whole region, and what central Government is enabling now is a great start to the growth of Northland. As mayor, I am committed to supporting these initiatives and ensuring that Northland reaps the full benefits of these projects.
